The top 30 moments of the football summer: 30 to 21

In the first of a three-part series, Malachy Clerkin reflects on an epic summer ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC final

James McCarthy scores Dublin’s second goal in their comfortable Leinster SFC final win over Kildare. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

30 Conor McManus point v Down

All-Ireland SFC qualifier, Croke Park, July 29th

It had been a frustrating championship pretty much all the way through for McManus but occasionally he was able to wriggle free. This was his best score all year, a high-stepping, twirling, duck-n-move run across the Down defence and a soaring finish.

Donegal were actually leading here after the opening quarter. But then Galway outscored them 3-5 to 0-1 for the rest of the first half, starting with Heaney palming home this effort with the Donegal backline nowhere. It was to become a jarringly familiar sight.

28 Diarmuid O’Connor’s point v Cork

All-Ireland SFC qualifier, Limerick, July 22nd

Mayo were gone, Part Two. Having rescued the draw, Cork were the ones who kicked on in extra-time. But Mayo don’t fizzle out. This was the go-ahead score, O’Connor nailing it with the outside of his right boot from 40 metres on an angle. The place went dizzy.

Diarmuid O’Connor’s extra-time point helped Mayo get their noses in front against Cork. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

27 Fintan Kelly goal v Carlow

All-Ireland SFC qualifier, Dr Cullen Park, July 15th

Carlow’s longest summer finally ended but they gave Monaghan a huge fright. Leading with 10 to go, they were only point down in the 66th minute. Kelly finished them off, padding home at the end of a fine running move. Monaghan ran to the bus, relieved.

26 Patrick McBrearty point v Meath

All-Ireland SFC qualifier, Navan, July 8th

One of those to-and-fro humdingers that the qualifiers can throw up. Michael Murphy kept Donegal in credit throughout but it was McBrearty who came up with the fistful of dollars in the end. Injury-time, draw game, McBrearty landed a bomb from 50 metres.

25 Ronan O’Neill’s lob v Down

Ulster final, Clones, July 16th

The game was long over and O’Neill had already scored one goal. But none of that diminishes the delicate class of his second goal. Having stolen in behind the Down cover, he lobbed Michael Cunningham with a perfect parabola.

Ronan O’Neill scores his second goal in Tyrone’s Ulster final win over Down. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

24 Waterford give Cork a scare

Munster SFC, Fraher Field, May 27th

Waterford haven’t beaten Cork since 1960 and haven’t finished within double-figures since 1972. Yet here they were, level in injury-time with Cork down to 14 men. Late, late points from Paul Kerrigan and Colm O’Neill saw the Rebels home. But only just.

23 Cathal McNally’s fast start v Meath

Leinster semi-final, Tullamore, June 17th

Supposed to be a clash of equals but Kildare’s McNally started at a tempo nobody in a Meath jersey could match. He had 1-3 from play on the board inside the opening 18 minutes. The question of who is Leinster’s second team was answered quicker than anyone envisioned.

22 Dublin’s two goals in a minute v Kildare

Leinster final, Croke Park, June 25th

This was a game and then it wasn’t a game. Kildare started well and even went ahead but then James McCarthy got in for one goal and Dean rock got in for another and the awesome might of the Dublin machine milled them to fine flour.

21 Peter Harte’s point v Donegal

Ulster semi-final, Clones, June 18th

This was actually still quite a close game in the 25th minute. The floodgates were jimmied open when Harte dummy-soloed outside one tackle, jinked inside another, turned back on himself to evade a third and swung a rare right-footed score as a fourth closed in. Sublime.

We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Standards. We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment or by filling out this form. New comments are only accepted for 3 days from the date of publication.